Is it just your own choice of words or do they (anstatt and statt) also mean two different things?
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1No difference between the two.– πάντα ῥεῖCommented Jan 28, 2018 at 19:53
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Basically no difference, though I would second the sentiment expressed by "Glockenblume" here: forum.wordreference.com/threads/anstatt-statt.2768344– user1583209Commented Jan 28, 2018 at 21:41
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1Was sagt das Wörterbuch?– user unknownCommented Jan 29, 2018 at 3:08
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3@userunknown Wörterbücher sagen haufig nicht zu viel...– peterhCommented Jan 29, 2018 at 4:34
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3Can you add an example? Why do you think the two word mean the same or do not?– IQVCommented Jan 29, 2018 at 6:53
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2 Answers
If we look at the etymology of statt we can see that it is a shortened form for anstatt:
statt Präp. Konj. (17. Jh.), aus anstatt gekürzt. Dazu statt daß, statt zu (18. Jh.).Etymologisches Wörterbuch (nach Pfeifer)
Both have the same meaning and usage until today. When using the unshortened form we may intend a higher register of German but in this case this is of not much siginficance.
Please note that both, statt, and anstatt go with genitive case which increasingly gets lost in colloquial speech.
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Basically 'statt' is used for same sort of quantities like tea or coffee; shoes or socks; jeans or t-shirts. For eg. Statt schlafende, möchte Ich schuhe. (I prefer wearing shoes over slipper.)
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Welcome to German.SE. unfortunately I think your answer has a spelling error on the german example. Please provide also the use of "anstatt" in your knowledge Commented Sep 23, 2019 at 15:47
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1I admit that this distinction sounds interesting. However, I have never heard of it before. Could you add a source, please? Commented Sep 24, 2019 at 5:50